Systems, Methods and Devices for Providing Illumination in an Endoscopic Imaging Environment

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pair of keys are embedded in one or more of hardware components, firm ware, or software.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises controlling the test fixture with a separate computer.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises electronically disconnecting the imaging device from the test fixture.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising sterilizing the imaging device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises providing updated programming for the imaging device, wherein providing the updating programming comprises transmitting and receiving the updated programing over a network.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises connecting the imaging device to a control unit for use during a surgical procedure and receiving updated programming from the control unit.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the security protocols originate in the test fixture, in the imaging device, or in a control unit.

11. The method of claim 4, wherein the method further comprises encrypting communication between the test fixture and the separate computer.

12. The method of claim 5, wherein the method further comprises storing the imaging device condition data in computer accessible storage or memory.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the method further comprises providing the updated programming to the control unit over a network.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the method further comprises authenticating communication between the control unit and the imaging device by complying with encryption security protocols.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the method further comprises controlling the control unit with a separate computer.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises tracking the imaging device by the imaging device data in order to control imaging devices in circulation.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the security protocols originate in the imaging device or in the control unit.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the security protocols are derived on the fly by the imaging device or the control unit.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises encrypting communication between the control unit and the separate computer.